17 Mile Drive

Address:

Del Monte Blvd and Esplanade Street
Carmel, California

NileGuide Expert tip:

Start out in the late afternoon to pick out a spot to watch the sunset. That way you'll beat the crowds.

Description:

Seventeen miles you wish never ended. 17 Mile Drive has been called "beautiful and isolating" and "breathtaking." For a $9.50 fee, you are granted access to a veritable sanctuary of natural beauty. Seventeen Mile winds along the coast, which thanks to strict regulations has been kept pristine and unadulterated. There are tons of spots to pull over and take a stroll onto the beach and epic turn outs to take pictures. It also travels through a residential area that houses some of the most beautiful homes in California. A notable landmark is the Lone Cypress, an approx. 250 year old cypress tree, a species that blankets the Central Coast, that stands alone atop a cliff face. There are many small parking lots sprinkled along the route that invite drivers to pull over and take a stroll on a wooden path and capture some pictures. Overall, 17 Mile Drive is a peaceful oasis and won't be soon forgotten.